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Ian Hill says worsening arthritis and a tendon injury that left him unable to play led him to retire from Judas Priest. He said a doctor advised against surgery because its outcome was uncertain, and he did not want the band and its audiences to face the risk of canceled shows. Hill has recorded bass for the band’s upcoming album and says he may appear as a guest in the future.
Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill says worsening arthritis and a severe shoulder injury left him unable to continue touring reliably, prompting his retirement from the band. In an interview with the YouTube channel Metal Pilgrim, Hill said a doctor advised him to defer surgery because its success was uncertain, and that he did not want to risk disrupting future shows.
Hill described problems with his shoulder and thumb that had made recent tours increasingly difficult. He said the thumb had developed a large arthritic lump and that the condition had worsened over the past couple of tours. Hill told Metal Pilgrim he had nearly retired after the previous tour, before further dates were arranged.
He traced a more acute shoulder problem to a run of six shows in eight days. Hill said he felt a snap and sharp pain near the end of the Brussels show and had to brace his elbow against his body to play the encores. He was unable to move his shoulder normally afterward and missed a London performance. He said it has since eased, but his account describes a serious injury that affected his ability to perform.
Hill said the doctor’s advice against surgery, given that there was no guarantee it would work, helped lead him to leave. Judas Priest named Uriah Heep bassist Davey Rimmer as his replacement after Rimmer filled in at a recent show in England. Hill praised Rimmer’s preparation and performance, noting that he had only two days’ notice.
A Long-Serving Member Leaves the Road
Hill’s departure marks a major personnel change for a band he joined in 1970. He was Judas Priest’s longest-serving member and, according to the report, one of only two musicians to have played on every studio album. His retirement ends his role as the band’s bassist on tour, while the appointment of Rimmer gives the group a replacement for upcoming performances.
The explanation also makes clear that this was not simply a change in plans: Hill described physical limits that had already affected his ability to play live. His stated concern was the risk of being unable to perform during a tour, potentially forcing canceled shows and affecting fans, bandmates and people involved in the production. That risk matters to audiences with tickets and to a touring operation that depends on the full lineup being able to perform.
Hill’s comments leave room for a connection with Judas Priest, but not a return to the regular touring lineup. He said he had recorded bass for the band’s upcoming album and may join them for guest appearances, while recognizing Rimmer as the new bassist.
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From 1970 to the Brussels Injury
Hill joined Judas Priest in 1970 and remained its bassist through decades of recordings and touring. His original retirement statement cited arthritis, other physical ailments and a wish to spend more time with his family. In the Metal Pilgrim interview, he supplied further detail about how those problems affected his ability to play.
Hill said a proposed four-week North American tour with Iron Maiden did not proceed after Iron Maiden withdrew. Judas Priest then added dates around the Bloodstock festival in Britain, and Hill described the resulting schedule as stretching to nine weeks. He said the dense stretch of six shows in eight days aggravated his shoulder before it gave way during the Brussels performance.
Hill also said he had neglected family life and that this had contributed to the end of two marriages. His decision, he said, included a desire to spend more time with family as well as the physical reasons for leaving. These are Hill’s own reflections, rather than independently established accounts of his personal relationships.
“I had no choice, really, than to knock it on the head.”
— Ian Hill, speaking to the YouTube channel Metal Pilgrim
Surgery and Future Appearances Remain Open
Hill said a doctor recommended holding off on surgery because there was no guarantee it would succeed. The interview account does not specify the precise diagnosis, what treatment he may pursue instead, or whether his shoulder and arthritis will continue to improve. Hill’s description of the injury easing is not a medical assessment.
It is also unclear when or whether Hill might make a guest appearance with Judas Priest. He said he was willing to join the band for guest spots and planned to see them from the audience, but no dates or performances were announced in the source material. The interview also does not provide a release date for the upcoming album or identify how much of Hill’s bass work remains to be completed.
Rimmer Takes Over Touring Duties
Davey Rimmer is the bassist named to take Hill’s place in Judas Priest’s live lineup. The source report does not give a full schedule of upcoming shows or say whether Hill will appear at any of them, so specific future plans should not be inferred from his openness to guest spots.
Hill said he had already recorded bass for the band’s upcoming studio album, with nearly all of his tracking completed. The group’s next developments include its album plans and live activity with Rimmer; any further involvement by Hill would depend on arrangements that have not yet been announced.
Key Questions
Why did Ian Hill retire from Judas Priest?
Hill said worsening arthritis and a severe shoulder injury made touring difficult and raised the risk that he could become unable to play during a tour. He also cited a desire to spend more time with family.
What happened to Hill during the Brussels show?
Hill said he felt a snap and sharp pain in his shoulder before the encores after a run of six shows in eight days. He said he had to brace his elbow against his body to finish playing and later missed a London show because he could not move his shoulder normally.
Who is replacing Ian Hill in Judas Priest?
The band named Davey Rimmer of Uriah Heep as its new bassist after he filled in for Hill at a recent show in England.
Will Hill appear on Judas Priest’s next album?
Hill said he laid down bass for the band’s upcoming studio album and that nearly all of his bass tracking was complete. The source report does not provide an album release date.
Could Ian Hill perform with Judas Priest again?
Hill said he would be willing to make guest appearances and intended to watch the band from the audience. No specific future appearance has been announced.
Source: rss
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